Communication

Deafblind people communicate in many different ways, determined by the nature of their condition, the age of onset, and what resources are available to them. For example, someone who grew up deaf and experienced vision loss later in life is likely to use a tactile mode of a sign language; others who grew up blind and later acquired deafness are more likely to use a tactile mode of their spoken/written language.

Methods of communication include:

Use of residual hearing (speaking clearly, hearing aids) or sight (signing within a restricted visual field, writing with large print).

Tactile signing — sign language or a manual alphabet such as the American Manual Alphabet, or DeafBlind Alphabet (also known as "two-hand manual") with tactile or visual modifications.

Interpreting services (such as sign language interpreters or communication aides)

Communication devices such as Tellatouch.